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  Locking mechanism for securing a member to a conveyorUSPTO Application #: 20070181404Title: Locking mechanism for securing a member to a conveyor Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided for releasably securing a grouper lug to a conveyor plate in a packaging machine conveyor belt assembly. The locking mechanism includes a cantilever arm that is disposed in a base wall of the grouper lug which defines a locking surface. The cantilever arm is defined by a channel that is formed in the base wall. A detent is disposed at the distal end of the cantilever arm and protrudes from the locking surface. An elongated key is integral to the base wall of the grouper lug and can be slidably received by a groove that is integral to the conveyor plate. The conveyor plate includes an aperture or depression that receives the detent to releasably secure the grouper lug to the conveyor plate. (end of abstract)
Agent: Parks Knowlton LLC - Atlanta, GA, US Inventors: John W. Cash, Keenan W. Haley USPTO Applicaton #: 20070181404 - Class: 198698000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Conveyors: Power-driven, Conveyor Section, Having Means To Enhance The Friction Or Adherence Between The Conveyor And Load At Random Locations On Conveyor, Load-engaging Belt Having Load-impelling, Projecting Cross Members (e.g., Slat, Etc.) Joined Thereto By Mechanical Fastening Means The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070181404. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 60/722,818, filed Sep. 30, 2005 and entitled "Grouper Lug Detent," the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This invention is generally related to conveying systems in packaging machines, and more particularly, to an improved locking mechanism for detachably securing an article engaging member to a conveyor plate. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Conveyors with attached article engaging members, such as metering or grouper lugs, are often used in a packaging machine to transport articles, such as bottles or cans, and separate the articles into groups that are then loaded into cartons. There are many instances when it is necessary to stop the conveyor to remove lugs, add lugs, change the spacing between lugs, and/or change the position of lugs. For example, if a lug is damaged during operation, the conveyor is stopped so that the damaged lug can be removed and replaced. As another example, the conveyor is stopped to change the spacing between lugs in order to configure the conveyor for certain packaging applications that include differently sized groups and/or differently sized articles. [0004] In high-speed production processes, downtime is a significant economic concern. Thus, the time involved in removing a grouper lug from a conveyor and securing a grouper lug to a conveyor is significant. It is therefore advantageous to utilize a grouper lug that can be attached to and detached from the conveyor quickly and consistently. [0005] The conveyor includes a series of conveyor plates that are attached to a conveyor chain. The conveyor plates provide a flat surface upon which articles are conveyed. A lug and a conveyor plate can be designed to work together such that each includes elements of a locking mechanism that allows the lug to be releasably secured or detachably mounted to the conveyor plate. Existing designs of such a locking mechanism include multiple parts that are costly, require assembly, and tend to fail. [0006] Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. What is needed is an improved locking mechanism for quickly and easily securing a detachable engaging member, such as a lug, to a conveyor. The locking mechanism should be cost effective to manufacture and not prone to failure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The various embodiments of the present invention overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a locking mechanism for securing a lug or other article engaging member to a conveyor plate. Elements of the exemplary locking mechanism are integrally formed as part of the engaging member such that the cost of the locking mechanism is reduced and the functionality of the locking mechanism is improved. Specifically, no additional materials or manufacturing steps are required, no assembly is necessary, and the risk of mechanical failure of the locking mechanism is mitigated. [0008] The exemplary grouper lug and the conveyor plate include elements that matingly and slidingly engage one another such that the article engaging member can be slidingly received by the conveyor plate. In the exemplary embodiment, the grouper lug includes a male element, such as an elongated key, and the conveyor plate includes a female element, such as a groove, that can slidingly receive the male element. However, in alternative embodiments, the grouper lug includes a groove and the conveyor plate includes a key such that the article engaging member and the conveyor plate can slidingly engage one another. [0009] The grouper lug and the conveyor plate also include elements of a locking mechanism that releasably engage one another to detachably secure the article engaging member to the conveyor plate after the article engaging member has been slidingly received by the conveyor plate. An exemplary locking mechanism includes an inwardly deflectable cantilever arm that is formed from a portion of the grouper lug that defines a locking surface of the grouper lug. In the exemplary embodiment, the cantilever arm is defined by a channel that is formed in a base wall of the grouper lug such that the locking surface of the grouper lug is defined by the base wall. It should be understood that, when the grouper lug is slidingly received by or properly seated on a conveyor plate, the locking surface of the grouper lug is in contact with a corresponding contact surface of the conveyor plate, and that the corresponding contact surface is defined by a portion of the conveyor plate that includes cooperating elements of the locking mechanism. [0010] A detent is formed on the cantilever arm and protrudes from the locking surface. The detent is dimensioned and positioned so as to be received by means for receiving the detent, which is formed in the portion of the conveyor plate that defines the corresponding contact surface that is in contact with the locking surface of the grouper lug, such that the grouper lug can be releasably secured to the conveyor plate. Examples of suitable means for receiving include, but are not limited to, a depression, an aperture, a groove, a slot, combinations thereof, and the like. In alternative embodiments, the cantilever arm and detent can be formed in the portion of the conveyor plate that defines a corresponding contact surface and the portion of the grouper lug that defines the locking surface can include means for receiving the detent such that the grouper lug can be releasably secured to the conveyor plate. [0011] At the point of this engagement, the grouper lug is secured in its proper position on the conveyor plate. The grouper lug can be removed by providing a force primarily in the longitudinal direction to disengage the detent from the aperture and slide the key out of the groove. [0012] The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present invention, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grouper lug that includes an exemplary locking mechanism according to the present invention. [0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the grouper lug of FIG. 1. [0015] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the grouper lug of FIG. 1 that is cut away along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2. [0016] FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the grouper lug of FIG. 1 that is cut away along the line 4-4 in FIG. 2. [0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mounting plate and the grouper lug of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0018] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word "exemplary" is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Locking mechanism for securing a member to a conveyor Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Locking mechanism for securing a member to a conveyor patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Locking mechanism for securing a member to a conveyor or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Process and device for conveying odd-shaped containers Next Patent Application: Vibrational linear conveyor Industry Class: Conveyors: power-driven ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Locking mechanism for securing a member to a conveyor patent info. 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